The group journeys across the swamp with Charo the Boatman.
(Alptraum) (Arkold) (The Light of Nala) (Sylvania) (Tulani)
---

While dawn was still a promising glow outlining the peaks of the eastern mountains, the boatman arrived. Most of the camp was packed up and ready to go, with just a few last minute things to deal with. All the while, the hooded and cloaked figure of Charo stood silently and patiently on his flat swamp-boat, a rowing pole clasped in his gloved hands and an hourglass-shaped gourd hooked to his belt. The night mists still clung to the surface of the swamp, but seemed a bit thicker around the boat itself.

Alptraum is busily getting together what he can. "We need to get moving, our transporter is down there. Since he's doing this for free for all of you, I'd rather not annoy him," the bat notes.

Phlagaea eyes the boat through her bandaged face, her expression obscured. Lilith and Mave, meanwhile, load the last of their supplies into Lucy's saddlebags.

"You okay? The boatman is quite pleasant," Alptraum asks Phlagaea.

Arkold nods. "Sounds fine to me. Everything should be ready to go, or just abou'." He had helped pack the tents, and is now busily sliding his shirt on. It seemed he had misplaced it last night, and had just found it hanging from a tree branch.

"I am not sure of what god he serves," Phlagaea admits to Alptraum. "Do I need to ask him for special permission to ride?"

Tulani slings her own pack onto her shoulders – since Lucy is already carrying the brunt of the weight in supplies – before walking over to Phlagaea to make sure the green Eeee is comfortable in her loaned clothes and that everything is tied right around the wings.

"He and I are … similar. Since you are with me, it shouldn't be a problem. If you want to go speak with him, though, I'll come with you," Alptraum tells the green Eeee.

Phlagaea nods to Alptraum, and holds still while Tulani makes some adjustments to her outer garb. "I feel a bit awkward wearing all of this," she comments.

After sliding his shirt on, and his coat over that, Arkold takes a moment to eye the boatman as well. "I'd hope to meet him a little later, but this ought an' be the best of possible circumstances, eh," the wolf remarks, nodding towards the boatman.

"You look fine and you'll get used to it. You need more clothing here than you would have in Babel," Alptraum notes and waits patiently for Phlagaea to be free to go down and talk to the boatman.

Charo doesn't nod back… or at least doesn't appear too. The huge hood casts whatever features he may have in impenetrable shadow. Little can be told from his size or posture either – the boatman appears to be as tall as Alptraum, and on the lean side.

"I can understand your discomfort if you're used to just wearing bandages, Phlagaea… And is this too tight?" the Sphynx replies to Phlagaea. "If the ties are too tight it can chafe, or make flying difficult."

"I just need to get used to it, but nothing feels too tight," the Yodhgorphat replies, and flexes her wings a bit to demonstrate. "I should get Lucy aboard first, probably."

Alptraum nods. "Let's go down with Lucy, then," he says and offers his arm to Phlagaea.

"I'll escort Mave," Arkold insists. He walks over to the white and gold bat – a look not all that dissimilar to his own – and offers her his arm. "I'd think as a priestess, you've met your fair share of beings like 'im," he asks her, nodding to the boatman again.

The green Eeee takes Alptraum's arm, and calls to her Fnerf servant. The foxtaur doesn't seem to have any trouble with the strange boat or its pilot, and the wooden craft doesn't sink under her weight. She makes sure to stay in the center though, laying down her quadruped half.

Mave chews on her pipe stem a bit, then takes Arkold's arm. Lilith looks to Tulani, and asks, "Should we go arm-in-arm as well?"

Ravenia giggles nervously at the suggestion.

Alptraum nods his head politely to Charo. "Good morning. This is my good friend, Yodhgorphat Phlagaea. I hope we are not too much of a bother," he tells the boatman. "She wished to greet you."

Tulani waits for Arkold then abruptly throws her hand up in the air at all the talk of escorting, muttering, "Fine fine!" Grinning to Lilith, she hooks one arm around the Eeee's and the other around Ravenia's, sticking her tongue out at Arkold as she does so.

Arkold glances back, raises his brow, and then mock-whispers to Mave, "I think I'm rubbin' off on the younger generation, an' doesn't that earn me a prayer?"

Phlagaea seems to freeze up for a moment at the suggestion of a greeting, then manages to just bow silently. Charo seems to accept this (by not moving or reacting physically in any way) and whispering, "Greetings, Yodhgorphat Phlagaea."

Lilith and Ravenia are all smiles as Tulani escorts them, at least until they reach the boat. Then Raven's cheerfulness seems to fade a bit. Lilith elbows the woman, and says; "Charo won't bite."

"See? Nothing to be worried about," Alptraum tells Phlagaea. He then calls over to Mave and says, "You're well on your way to getting Arkold to be your servant, eh? Bet you can have him fetching in a week." The bat grins impishly.

Along with Lilith's assurance Tulani moves her arm to give the dark-skinned woman a light, reassuring hug around the waist.

"He will make a fine Temple usher," Mave says in accented Standard.

"For the 'Son of Death,' the boy's a little too lively some times," Arkold complains, then grins. Then, he 'ushers' Mave on to the boat, with liberal rear patting, apparently to make his 'ushering' point clear. "All aboard, then. An, thank you for … " Arkold eyes the shadows of the boatman's face, seems to falter a moment, then continues quickly, " … eh, the ride." He shakes his head as he steps all the way onto the boat, muttering, "Never goin' to get used to that."

"Lively?" Alptraum comments to Arkold. "Why, I'm just trying to encourage my 'sister' into furthering your training." The bat winks to Arkold, then dips his head to Charo and notes, "I apologize. I failed to mention we can be a silly bunch."

With everyone aboard, Charo pushes away from the shore with his pole, commenting, "The living tend to be boisterous," in his dry whisper of a voice.

"Sorry if it bothers you," comes a quick rather apologetic reply from the black and white Sphynx.

"How often do you make it home?" Alptraum inquires of Charo, glancing towards him and listening intently.

"As often as needed," the figure says, poling along. How he navigates is a mystery, though, since the thick mist surrounding the boat make it difficult to see anything beyond a few yards. "And not often enough, in these troubled times."

"Somethin' about dyin' that takes the life out of most people," Arkold jokes, grinning in the gloom.

"It may get worse," Alptraum notes to the boatman. "More trouble brews and if we don't stop it, well, the Gallee will seem a minor issue."

"I will see about expanding the number of boatmen then," Charo whispers. The fog seems to muffle sound as well. Aside from the bright spot that indicates the rising sun ahead, there isn't much to see.

"Hopefully that won't be necessary," Alptraum remarks and this time looks towards Ravenia. Remembering how well she sees in darkness, the bat gets curious if she could see the boatman's face.

Ravenia so far has been looking anywhere but at the boatman. At the moment, she seems to be admiring one of the gaudy (but probably fake) gems adorning Phlagaea's bandaged face.

For his part, Arkold doesn't seem curious about the boatman's face. Instead, he looks off across the gloomy murk, scanning the horizon for anything at all.

"How are you this morning, Raven?" Alptraum asks the human.

The woman nearly jumps at the question, and then stares at Alptraum. "Wh… why do you ask?" she replies.

Tulani, oddly enough, watches the boatman herself with a rather sad look on her face, but not looking in the vicinity of the shadows beneath the man's hood.

"You seem jumpy and distracted," Alptraum says honestly.

"Are you saying I shouldn't be, given the circumstances?" Ravenia asks, looking a bit upset.

"Circumstances? We aren't in any danger," Alptraum says, looking rather confused.

Arkold rubs his chin, then says, "Not all dangers are physical, Bats."

Turning towards Raven at the unhappy tone in her voice, Tulani quietly reminds Alptraum, "We aren't all as comfortable in situations such as this Alptraum."

"If we were in danger from specters, I would know," Alptraum notes to the wolf, then shrugs. "I wanted to know what was on her mind."

"Well," Ravenia says, faltering for a bit. "It's just… he gives me the shivers. I've had dead people inside me before, and I'm not comfortable with the thought of having them sit next to me on a boat," she explains in a whisper.

"Different kind of specter, Alptraum. You'll understand when you're older," the wolf replies.

Alptraum focuses his ears on the boatman and listens intently for breathing or a heartbeat.

Tulani leans over and hugs Raven around the shoulders quietly.

The Eeee's ears can make out the faint sounds of life, although he can't determine if they really are faint or just muffled by the heavy clothing Charo wears.

Alptraum leans over and whispers to Ravenia, "The boatman is living; I can hear him. Also there are no ghosts on the boat right now, save for those within his gourd."

Arkold, who apparently can hear well when the topic is related to alcohol, suddenly laughs grimly. "Usually the spirits I 'ave in my flask are of a different kind. Could use one now," he then says.

"Perhaps we just need a bit of a distraction?" Lilith suggests. "Maybe some music?"

"I could play some music," Alptraum offers.

Mave perks up a bit at the mention of music, and switches her pipe to the opposite side of her muzzle.

"That would be nice Alptraum, you play well, and it might just help a bit," Tulani responds with a small smile, flicking one of her ears before glancing at the boatman.

"I can sing, that'll drive off any ghosts," Arkold offers.

"Don't get any ideas of me being a servant at your temple as a musician," Alptraum teases Mave and grins when she perks up. He digs a bit in his side bag to get his recorder. "May I sit on your back?" he asks Lucy, since she's at the center of the boat.

Charo doesn't add anything to the conversation, but Lucy says, "Be careful," as she nods her permission.

Alptraum settles himself down carefully on Lucy's back and gets himself steady. "I think I'll do some music from Babel, which our friends should recognize. I'll stick to the more upbeat songs; not the traditional stuff from the temples," he notes. And with that, Alptraum engages in playing some of the more lively songs he learned while working in Babel and visiting some of the various pubs.

Only listening with half an ear at first, Tulani's attention soon swings away from any of her thoughts about the boatman and to the music Alptraum is producing, soon smiling widely as both her ears perked towards him.

The songs and music seem to cheer up Ravenia. And Mave occasionally joins in when she recognizes a particular song. Lilith seems fascinated, never having heard much in the way of Babelite tunes before. Of the Eeees, only Phlagaea seems to get distracted every so often, compelled to turn and stare ahead into the foggy gloom as if searching for something.

Arkold hunkers down a bit, resting his elbow on the boat edge as he watches the gloom and listens. Resting on a passing rock, a particularly large toad croaks at him, causing the man to say, "Eh, I know how you feel."

Pausing between songs, Alptraum looks to Phlagaea. "Is something the matter?" he asks.

"We're heading for corruption," Phlagaea says, reverting to formal Babelite. "Someone has perished of gangrene."

"There was a battle here, so that is not surprising. If you can spot the remains, try to remember what they looked like. I'm curious as to the battle that happened here and the participants," Alptraum replies in Babelite. The Eeee then taps his recorder with a clawtip and resumes playing to try and keep the spirits of the group uplifted.

Tulani blinks and flicks her ears as the green Eeee switches back to speaking in another language before looking to Alptraum, not understanding what was just said.

Arkold's ears swivel, too, hearing the unfamiliar language. He doesn't react beyond that, though, and keeps to eyeing the wastes.

The Sphynx looks confused, but soon sits back as the music continues, trusting Alptraum to explain if it were something very important, or potentially dangerous.

Before too long, the morning sun ahead is suddenly eclipsed by the broken silhouette of a dead tree. Charo guides the boat straight to it, until the prow makes contact. Tangled in the branches are the rotting remains of a Khatta, its body pierced by arrows. Amazingly, there are no flies or parasites in sight, although those of sharp hearing can detect the buzzing of insect wings not too far off.

"Was that what you were sensing?" Alptraum asks Phlagaea in standard when the boat stops. He glances around to the others and notes, "She sensed someone died of disease. This was a battle site, so that is not unexpected. Though, it being in the tree is curious. Anyone see if he has a crossbow or longbow?"

Phlagaea doesn't hesitate to go up to the corpse, and pulls a broken longbow from beneath it. "Bowstring snapped," she reports.

"I know it's not a pleasant thing to ask, but are there any useful supplies? Extra bowstrings?" Alptraum inquires. His eyes move to a spot next to Lilith and Tulani.

"I'll go take a look as well," Arkold volunteers. He stands up, then he heads over and begins climbing towards the corpse. "I want to have a look at his equipment, I can try and tell you wha' 'e might have been with."

Swallowing at the gruesome site, but managing to hold back any really visible reaction, Tulani flicks her ear at Alptraum and was just beginning to scan the corpse and tree before noticing the movement of his eyes, her own eyes following the visual path to that spot.

The Yodhgorphat finds a pouch on the body, the cloth already going to rot, and opens it to look inside. "Might have been food once," she says, and picks out a chunk of jerky.

"Good, try to figure out who he was with, too," Alptraum tells Arkold. Taking in a deep breath, the Eeee tells the others, "Please, do not panic or jump. The ghost of the fallen has joined us on the boat. I tell you this so I can try to speak to him without causing concern."

The Sphynx immediately looks away from the spot nearby as Alptraum speaks, sitting up straight and looking over at Ravenia to make sure the woman is alright.

Ravenia looks tense, but calm. "As long as you don't need me to… you know," she says quietly to Alptraum.

Reaching up, Arkold plucks one of the arrows from the corpse and eyes it intently. After hearing Alptraum's report, he adds, "Eh, sorry about that," for the ghost.

"No, Ravenia. That will not be asked of you ever again if it can be avoided. If I can see him, I can communicate with him directly," Alptraum tells the human. "I won't let anyone use you like that again."

"He doesn't care, Arkold," Alptraum tells the wolf in regard to the examination of the corpse. His attention returns to the specter and he asks, "Do you know what lies ahead, beyond this swamp?"

"Well," Arkold begins, shaking the arrow as he makes his points, "I can tell ya he's a trained soldier, possibly a mercenary. Leather an' chitin armor – leather's common enough, bu' chitin takes some real funding, 'specially out 'ere where the Hives are harder to contact. As for the arrow, it's quality. I'd say it'd belong to a standin' army, or other mercenaries. Given the situation, I'd say it's Gallisian."

"The eastern mountains," the ghost tells Alptraum. "The Jupani is correct, I am… was… a mercenary in the employ of the Countess."

"He was a mercenary in the employ of Countess Draco," Alptraum tells the group and confirming Arkold's deductions. Then with a nod to the specter he asks, "Are there armies ahead, at the base or in the mountains? We have to go that way for the sake of Sylvania. Anything you can tell us about obstacles ahead would help us immensely."

"This is as far as I got, sorry," the Khatta replies, and shrugs insubstantial shoulders. "Fighting ended at least twelve days ago."

Tulani blinks and sighs at the mention of armies and the arrows in the corpse probably being Gallisian in origin. Another possible problem to add if troops are still about where they are headed.

"He knows nothing about what is ahead," Alptraum informs them, "The battle concluded about two weeks ago." Alptraum then asks the ghost, "What was your name? I always ask."

"Raph Grudnik," the Khatta spirit replies. "The Countess didn't mention you as part of the death benefits package, only the boatman."

"The countess doesn't know me," Alptraum notes with a shrug. "And I do not know her."

"Death benefits? The Countess 'as all kinds of tricks," says Arkold as he climbs back down. He places the arrow on his knee once he reseats, so others can examine it.

Shifting closer to Arkold so she can have a look at it herself, Tulani examines the arrow on his lap.

"What did she offer you in the death benefits package, out of curiosity?" Alptraum asks the ghost.

"The usual," Raph replies. "Not becoming a zombie or haunt, or having my spirit corrupted – and being brought home."

"Ah. Well, what is the Countess herself like?" Alptraum inquires out of curiosity.

The Khatta looks at Alptraum critically, and glances around at the others. "You aren't dead. I'm not sure I should be talking to you about the Countess."

"Why not? One of my companions is Lilith Draco, a relative," Alptraum notes with a shrug.

"I don't know her," Raph says. "You could be anyone. I know better now than to trust the living. They always have an agenda."

"Good thing you warned us, Bats. Watching you talk to thin air'd worry me," Arkold remarks as he watches Alptraum with a vaguely amused expression.

"As you like. I am the child of the Goddess of Death of Babel, to answer the question as to who I am. Which is why I can see and speak with you. I am … not unlike the boatman," Alptraum says, then shrugs to the others.

Arkold grins. "E's also a pain in the arse, but 'e's a good one," he adds.

"If you don't mind, I think I'd like to just sit next to this pretty Sphynx for now, and not answer more questions," the Khatta says.

"As you like. Thank you for what you have told us," Alptraum remarks. "He'd rather just ogle you, Tulani," the Eeee adds.

"Can't blame 'im," Arkold says.

"Well, it's not like a ghost can do more than ogle," Lilith notes.

With a lurch, Charo pushes the boat away from the tree, and starts poling them eastward once more.

Tulani just blinks, trying not to look too confused at Alptraum's one-sided conversation since he warned them beforehand. Doing a small double take at the mention that the spirit would rather be looking at her, the Sphynx' ears turn pink and then she settles, chuckling to herself.

"You all knew I was weird for a long time. Don't look at me like that," Alptraum grumbles.

Ravenia seems to relax a bit as well, and even jokes, "It could be worse, Tulani. He could have possessed me, and then I'd be hitting on you. Poor Arkold would have a heart attack."

"I'd pay you to do that," Alptraum tells Ravenia, then grins.

"How much?" Mave asks Alptraum.

"I'd risk that," the wolf says. "It's a good place to die."

Tulani all out laughs at the joke, brightening up considerably and shaking her head at Arkold as she laughs.

"How much do you want?" Alptraum asks Mave.

The Yodhinala looks to Tulani, and asks, "How much would you pay for me not to seduce you?"

"What's it like being seduced by Mave?" Alptraum asks Lilith, grinning impishly again.

"I'm also interested in bidding," Arkold offers.

Lilith just blinks at Alptraum, and says, "How should I know?"

"I don't know… I don't have that much on me… And anyway, it can't be all that bad." Tulani replies with a grin. "Arkold certainly seems to enjoy it."

"You went into her tent that one night," Alptraum points out to Lilith.

Arkold grins. "This isn't about me – this is about spreadin' the joy for others," he insists.

"I went to get the antidote to the spell," Lilith says. "What did you think I did?"

"I wasn't sure. You were looking rather … frustrated," Alptraum says.

"Is there a story I haven't been told?" Ravenia asks, looking at the various Eeee.

"Yes. But I'm sure you would find it frightfully dull," Alptraum replies and gets up to go sit by Phlagaea again. He puts his wings around the green Eeee.

"I, too, would like to hear this story," says the old wolf.

"You might not like it," Phlagaea warns. "There was an ugly demon and… vermites… involved."

"And extensive debauchery. Yes, you wouldn't like it at all," Alptraum adds. "Best to never speak of it again."

Lucy swishes her tail a few times, and grins at the memories.

Arkold rubs his chin, as if contemplating asking more. "Hrrm."

"So, what did Mave charge you for the antidote?" Alptraum asks Lilith.

Tulani just grins and rolls her eyes before looking to Arkold and saying with more than a trace of humor, "Down boy, they'd obviously rather not talk about it."

Lilith crosses her arms against her chest, and says, "That's a secret."

"You can tell me. Besides, it should have been free seeing as how I got her those demon eyes," Alptraum says to Lilith.

"Ahem, are you forgetting who my patron Goddess is?" Lilith replies to Alptraum.

"You deny an old man his pleasures, Tulani. What's an old man without his stories," Arkold complains.

"Isn't it old women who trade gossip and stories?" Ravenia asks Arkold.

"Oh, fine. I'll just have to have a talk with your patron Goddess, then," Alptraum teases Lilith. "I thought you trusted me by now!"

"Oh but you have plenty of stories Arkold," the Sphynx quips, "You have a whole book you're going to write."

"I obviously haven't told you my war stories," Arkold tells Ravenia.

"I'm not sure this is a proper place to reminisce about war," Ravenia says.

Taking a pause from the teasing, Alptraum closes his eyes and just listens to the surroundings. For the sounds of life, more ghosts, things ahead, anything.

Arkold glances around. "This is where war stories are born, I 'ate to say."

The swamp is as quiet as a graveyard, which is to say there are plenty of insect noises, plops and plips in the water, frogs calling and scavengers challenging each other.

Tulani wonders if the Khatta ghost is still sitting there and if he is listening to any of the friendly banter going around, but eventually she just shrugs to herself.

"I would offer to tell the tale of Yodhinala Sheherazadze and the One Thousand and One Knights, but I do not know all of the proper descriptive terms in Standard yet," Mave says.

"I'll 'elp you out, Mave," offers Arkold.

"Does the map show us any changes in directions?" Alptraum asks Tulani, then opens his eyes. His brow quirks and he adds, "The ghost is, ah, relaxing and enjoying the view. It's a good thing you can't see him."

"Some things are best left untranslated," Phlagaea says. "To preserve the mystery."

"Besides, it's an extremely, ah, bawdy story. Far too much for the innocents present," Alptraum notes absently.

The Sphynx starts to pull the map out from a pocket she keeps in her shirt but pauses to look at Alptraum curiously. "Er… It's a good thing I can't see him?" Tulani asks.

"Later, then," the wolf says. After that, Arkold resumes scanning the bog around the boat.

"He's laying on you and looking up at you," Alptraum tells Tulani flatly.

Tulani starts slightly, looks down at her lap, and then up at Alptraum before relaxing. "It's alright I suppose. Might as well let him have a view to enjoy now that he's… well… " she murmurs, looking down at the approximate spot in her lap where a persons head would best lie and smiling in a kind manner before looking up again.

Tulani then finishes drawing the map out of a shirt pocket and unfolds it to take a look.

"I know how I'm spending my afterlife," Arkold mumbles. A carrion bird caws at him, as if in agreement.

The path on the map is still mostly straight, although a dark patch seems to be fading into view before Tulani's eyes.

"You could always offer your soul to Inala. Or did you do that already at Worms?" Alptraum asks Arkold.

Arkold just grins widely.

The Sphynx examines the map carefully, watching the new spot emerge and reaches over to tap Alptraum, saying, "Looks like something new is coming up."

"I thought as much," Alptraum notes with a smirk. He glances towards Tulani, then moves to get a better look at the map himself. "What is it?" he asks.

"What? New?" Arkold sits up a bit, then leans over to look.

As others crowd around the Sphynx to see the mysterious spot resolve into a mysterious irregular outline, the boat runs aground. "We camp at this island until morning," Charo whispers. "Cannot go further until then."

"What island is this?" Alptraum asks and looks up at Charo. "It just appeared."

Grimacing, Arkold abandons looking at the map to glance over the side of the boat instead.

"Just an island. Water rises and sinks all the time, hiding and revealing," the boatman answers cryptically. The bulky shapes of trees can be made out through the mist, hinting that the island isn't just some lump of sand.

"I'm not certain that is all it is," Alptraum says flatly and gets to his feet. "I'll check it out if people wish to wait here."

"A mysterious island in the center of a ghost filled swamp, eh? How can I refuse," Arkold remarks as he stands.

"Maybe we should stick together," Ravenia suggests.

"I offered to go because I'm more comfortable in places like this," Alptraum explains to Ravenia. "I was wanting to spare you any more stress, but if all of you wish to go, I won't argue."

Tulani nods, "I'll come too… err… " she says then looks a little embarrassed, her eyes going to Alptraum, "If you could ask the ghost to remove his head from my lap if he's still there," the Sphynx finishes quickly.

The ghost has already stirred, and moved to the rear of the boat to cast a spectral fishing line into the swamp.

"He's, ah, fishing now," Alptraum remarks, then looks to Phlagaea. "Do you wish to go, too? And, come to think of it, are there any rituals you could perform to make us immune to disease for a while? Just in case."

"To grant such immunity would require someone to take on the afflictions being protected against," Phlagaea notes. "But yes, I can do that."

Now that she has been notified that the ghost has gotten up, Tulani quickly stands and walks over to the end where the boat has hit the shore.

"And, er, how long would that last?" Alptraum asks next. "And would we end up green?"

Arkold climbs out, too, offering to help Tulani through the soft sand and up to harder soil.

Tulani gratefully grabs Arkold's hand for some assistance in getting to firmer ground, giving him a pat on the shoulder and smiling.

Lucy has plenty of traction on her own, despite her weight. Oddly, Charo offers a hand to Ravenia in aid.

"No, you wouldn't turn green," Phlagaea notes. "But… I do not think this place is safe for such a ritual."

"The green would interfere with the gloomy brown, and gray, heh," Arkold jokes. He then glances around, just in case the gloomy world takes offence, apparently.

"We'll discuss it later, then," Alptraum tells Phlagaea and offers her his hand. "Let's get to shore and find a campsite or ruin to stay in.

Once ashore, it doesn't take long to completely explore the island. It runs north to south for about sixty yards, with the southern end rising up almost ten feet about the swamp and sporting a small cluster of willow trees and swamp grass. The northern end slopes down gently to the water, and from east to west the island is a narrow twenty yards across.

"I recommend we make camp at the top of the hill. Highest ground we can get to. We also need to decide on watch shifts," Alptraum says as he peers around.

"Aye, wouldn't want the island to sink on us while we're sleeping," Arkold agrees. "Not much 'ere, either. At least it's defensible, no' like anyone's going to get 'ere without a boat, an' who's goin' to approach at night without a lantern?"

"The dead," Charo whispers in answer to Arkold.

"How did it get to be so late in the afternoon already?" Lilith asks, looking at the position of the sun. "That boat messes with my sense of time."

"When in the realm of the dead time often passes differently," Alptraum notes to Lilith and pats her shoulder. He then looks at Charo and asks, "Would either of us attract the dead to this place?"

"No, but the swamp is restless further ahead," the boatman answers. "We can wait here until it passes."

"How is it restless?" Alptraum asks, curious.

"Oh," says Arkold. He scratches his head, then shrugs. "'Suppose the dead might do that. Hard to figure them, the dead. What with … bein' dead an' … still movin'. They're Star over Anchor, I tell you."

"The dead have risen up and are on the march," Charo explains. "Perhaps they think the battle is not yet over? Such is the danger of dying in these lands without proper death benefits."

"'Ear that everyone? No dyin'," says the wolf.

"Is it perhaps the effect of being near one of the great sites of evil from the past?" Alptraum inquires next and peers out in the swamp, ears listening.

Tulani watches the swamp and surrounding trees while listening to the conversation at hand. Grinning at Arkold, she says, "Oh, I'll be sure not to, just for you Arkold."

Arkold reaches over and pats Tulani. "I appreciate it."

"All battlefields are home to great evil," Charo notes, and leans on his pole.

Tulani gives Arkold a friendly smile before announcing, "If no one else minds, I'll take first watch shift after we make camp?"

"I can take the last, I wake up early these days anyway," Arkold offers.

"I'm speaking of quite a historic evil, but no matter. Will you be joining us at camp?" Alptraum asks Charo. "What supplies we have you are welcome to share."

Phlagaea examines the odd (to her) trees. "The branches of these trees droop. We can't roost in them."

"I will join you," Charo says simply.

"Lucy, can you go set up the tent? Mave, we will need firewood. Can you locate us some?" Alptraum says in Babelite. Then to the others in Standard; "Let's set up some trip-lines and other early-warning systems at the edges of the island. We have poor visibility here and I want to hear anything heading towards us."

Lilith and Ravenia nod to Alptraum, while Lucy goes to the trees and begins to unload the tent and dry kindling she's been carrying.

Arkold nods as he studies the camp. "It's good Tulani an' I will be taking first an' last watch, our eyes aren't any use in the darkness, but the Eeee hearin' would be," he says.

"What will we do if the island is overrun by zombies?" Phlagaea asks, her wings twitching.

Alptraum grins apologetically and says, "Sorry if that came across as pushy." He then notes, "Myself and Arkold will be the primary defense. We should prepare torches to burn them."

"Do wet zombies burn well?" Mave asks.

Tulani begins looking for the best spots to set up some trip-lines around the perimeter of where Lucy is already unloading, and presumably where camp will be set up, pointing out a few spots to Lilith and Ravenia.

"I'll do what I always do with zombies. I lure them with the promise of my gigantic brain, an' then I brain them," the wolf explains. He nods to Alptraum, then advises, "Active torches will reduce our night vision an' make us visible to the livin', so we may want to have them ready, but unlit, unless you think the livin' aren't a danger."

"They burned well enough the last time Arkold and I fought them in a swamp," Alptraum replies to Mave. The Eeee then flexes his fingers and peers at his claws before nodding to Arkold. "Point well made. Did you get any high strength booze from that cache you found? We can soak the torches in that so they light fast."

"Nothing lives out there that is a threat," Charo claims. "We should be safe amidst the trees."

Arkold frowns. "I know survival is important an' everything, but think of the poor booze," he answers.

"Fortune favors the cautious, though," Alptraum says to Charo. "Do you want booze or more Gallisian zombies and vampires?" Alptraum asks Arkold. "You remember the Countess made those other vampires."

"I thought the Countess was, if anythin', neutral or well-disposed to our cause? Tell you what, if zombies actually come, I'll actually set fire to the booze. Then you get the double-fury of fire, an' me angry abou' my booze," answers Arkold.

"Deal," Alptraum tells Arkold.

---

GMed by BoingDragon

Previous Log: Strawberries and CombsNext Log: The Border Keep
Thread Links
(Alptraum)
(Arkold)
(The Light of Nala)
(Sylvania)
(Tulani)

Back to list of Logs 2001-2025


Log listings page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96
Recent Logs - Thread Listing

Home Page
Player Guide
Log Library
Recent Logs
Encyclopedia
Dramatis Personae
Art Gallery
Moz Ezley Asylum

Today is 14 days after Candlemass, Year 29 of the Reign of Archelaus the First (6128)